248SPG

Driving on the Slip road between the M4 and the A329M last nite what I can only describe as a piece of metal came flying off the back of a Flat bed Transit and straight into the front of my car!!!

Looks like a new bumper and bonnet respray for me now as I was too busy trying to keep the car in a straight line to get the guys plates!!!

Anyone any idea how much this will cost me??

4lex L

Sorry to hear about the damage 248SPG, hope it doesn't cost too much to sort it out.

I was on the A1 on Sunday experiencing some rather strong winds and there was a truck in front transporting what looked like the shell of a small house/very large shed. Bits of wood were flying off everywhere luckly the scooby handling missed the larger pieces. I flashed him like a ba$tard but he didn't seem to acknowledge. Didn't stay behind him for very long

Anyone know what the legality of these types of situations is? Is it an offense to transport unsafe loads? It should be.

Alex

New To Scoob

A similar thing happened to the father-in-law a few years ago, a ladder fell off a window cleaners van in front of him on a dual carriageway, he was lucky and the guy stopped. As far as I am aware it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that any load that is being transported either on a trailer or roofrack is secure, unfortunately if you haven't got his reg plate you wont have much come back, the driver of the van mentioned above got charged with transporting an unsecure load I think.

druddle

Similar thing happened to my sister a few years ago.

Pallet fell off the back of a lorry and went straight under her car. Damaged exhaust, front and rear suspension and steering rack. He didnt stop, but others reported it and his insurance paid for all the damage.

Did you get reg plate of the Transit ?

Dave

Shropshire-Guy

Being Truck driver here mt8 all be it im on tankers, he can be done for insecure load AND THATS FACT . U only needed his number and hes done lock stock and smoking barrel. They fine them pretty heavy for that 2

Steve

248SPG

Well hopefully someone who was on the motorway may of reported it but I havnt heard anything.

Its a real shame I didnt get his reg but as you can imagine I was a little shaken after skidding across the motorway.

Anyone reckon it might be worth calling the Police and see if they have anything on CCTV from the motorway as I am pretty sure they have cameras around there??

saucy-scooby

Being an ex HGV1 artic driver and now an operator of such beasts, the driver and the company who he drives for are both equally liable for any loss or damage caused by incorrect or unsafe loading/securing of load. All companies must by law carry publi liability insurances of at least £5,000,000.00.

Sometimes in the heat of the moment a driver subjct to debris falling from a commercial vehicle is unale to get the eg plate, however you can always trace the offending vehicle by its name or any other distinguishing mark on the vehicle itself.

The best way to approach this problem is via the Ministry of Transport, their local Traffic Office number is in the phone book.

ScoobyJawa

Not having much luck are you mate

Always worth getting in touch with the police - bit of a long shot though

Jen

Bummer

...quick tip though - if you ever need to get someone's reg number and you're in a car on your own (and therefore too busy driving to look for a pen & paper) "write" it on the car window with your finger, then all you need to do is breathe on it to steam the window up and the reg will apear

Brun

Jen - That is genius

Jen

...years of "drawing" on my parents car windows when I was younger

Ian_S

i hit a large chunk of hgv tyre destroyedmy front bumper, did the company want to know?(was pulled over at side of road) like **** did they

Scott W

Steve, sorry to hear that mate. As Neil says, you aren't having much luck at the moment.

248SPG

Well I have just dropped the car in for a service and they will give me a quote for how much to fix so watch this space.